Life Philosophy: "I've learned that it's much easier to be positive than negative, it's easier to smile than to frown, and when in doubt, eat chocolate!"~AnonymousNow that's a philosophy I can truly embrace :) This is a quote from an anonymous elderly person participating in a project at Cornell University called the Legacy Project. This project is a truly amazing collection of "lessons for living from the wisest Americans", created by Karl Pillemer, a professor of human development in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University, and Professor of Gerontology in Medicine at the Weill Cornell Medical College. Begun in 2004, the project used a variety of methods to collect these nuggets of wisdom and life experience, including a pilot study, surveys and in-depth interviews. The project gathered over 1500 answers to the question, "What are the most important lessons you have learned over the course of your life?" According to the website, "People from across the country in their 70s and beyond shared their wisdom for living. The advice ranges from how to be happy on a day-to-day basis, the secrets to a successful marriage, tips on raising children, ways to have a fullfilling career, strategies for dealing with illness and loss, and how to grow old fearlessly and well."Grouped into categories, this wisdom is made available to any who wish to find some heart-warming, practical, and sometimes downright funny advice from America's elders. The best of the lessons have been complied into a book, 30 Lessons for Living, which has the distinction of being named "Best Self-Help Book of 2011" by Library Journal. Here's to the wisest Americans, a tribute of gratitude for their humor, grit and experience, and to Karl Pillemer for being the catalyst for sharing it with all.

About Karen

Karen is a compassionate, enthusiastic student of life, who cared for her mother for 17 years. She brings her insights, compassion, experience and desire to share knowledge and healing to this ongoing conversation with others on the caregiving path. If you are caring for a parent, spouse, friend or other loved one this site offers sanity-saving tips, open-hearted self-care ideas, and an open forum for discussion, connection and sharing resources for the journey.